Who Is Jovan Arriaga? The Life Story of Suzette Quintanilla’s Son and Selena’s Legacy

🧍 Personal Details

📛 Full Name: Jovan Arriaga
🎂 Date of Birth: March 5, 1998
🕯️ Age (2025): 27 years old
🌎 Birthplace: United States
🇺🇸 Nationality: American
🌞 Zodiac Sign: Pisces
🏡 Hometown: Corpus Christi, Texas
🎓 Education: Texas A&M University – Hydraulic Engineering
💼 Profession: Hydraulic Engineer
🏳️‍🌈 Ethnicity: Mexican and Cherokee
🧘 Religion: Christianity
💰 Net Worth (2025): Estimated $1.5 million
📏 Height: 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm)
⚖️ Weight: Around 154 pounds (70 kg)
👁️ Eye Color: Dark Brown
💇 Hair Color: Black
❤️ Relationship: Dating Mallory Smith
📍 Current Residence: Texas, United States

Early Life and Family Background

Jovan Arriaga was born on March 5, 1998, in the United States. He spent his childhood in Texas, where family, culture, and music were part of everyday life. Being the son of Suzette Quintanilla, who was the drummer of Selena y Los Dinos, and Bill Arriaga, Jovan was raised in a home that valued love, respect, and faith. His mother, Suzette, dedicated her life to preserving her sister Selena’s memory after her passing in 1995, while also being a devoted wife and mother.

His father, Bill, provided support and stability, helping create a calm and nurturing environment for their only child. Although fame was always close to the family because of Selena’s influence, Jovan’s parents worked hard to protect him from unnecessary public attention. They wanted him to have a normal life filled with simple joys and strong values.

Age and Birthday

Jovan Arriaga was born on March 5, 1998, in the United States, which makes him 27 years old as of 2025. His zodiac sign is Pisces, a sign known for being kind, caring, and thoughtful—traits that truly match his calm and respectful personality. Each year, his birthday is a special reminder for his family of how much joy he has brought into their lives.

Mother – Suzette Quintanilla

Jovan Arriaga’s mother is Suzette Quintanilla, a respected figure in Latin music history and the older sister of the late Selena Quintanilla. Suzette was the drummer for the family band Selena y Los Dinos, which played a huge part in shaping Tejano music. After Selena’s passing in 1995, Suzette stopped performing but dedicated her life to preserving her sister’s legacy. She now manages the Selena Museum in Corpus Christi, Texas, and works closely with her father, Abraham Quintanilla, to keep Selena’s memory alive. As a mother, Suzette is very loving and protective, always expressing pride in her son. She raised Jovan to be humble, respectful, and hardworking, teaching him the value of family and tradition.

Father – Bill Arriaga

Jovan’s father is Bill Arriaga, who has always lived a private and quiet life away from the public eye. He married Suzette in 1993, and together they have built a strong and lasting marriage. Bill is known for being a kind and supportive husband and a dedicated father who has provided a stable home for his family. Even though he stays out of the media, he is deeply loved and respected by those close to him. His calm and steady nature helped give Jovan a peaceful upbringing, balancing out the fame that surrounds the Quintanilla family.

Jovan Arriaga Siblings

Jovan Arriaga is the only child of Suzette and Bill Arriaga. He does not have any brothers or sisters. Being an only child allowed him to develop a close bond with both of his parents. Growing up as their only son, he received constant support and attention, which helped him become confident and responsible. His parents made sure he had a happy and grounded upbringing even though their family name is known around the world.

Education and Academic Journey

Education has always been an important part of Jovan’s life. After graduating high school with honors in 2017, he continued his studies at Texas A&M University in Corpus Christi. There, he pursued a degree in hydraulic engineering, a field that focuses on water systems and environmental design. Choosing engineering showed that Jovan wanted to create his own path, separate from the entertainment world his family is known for.

During his time in school, Jovan was also active in sports, particularly baseball, and his teachers and peers admired his dedication and discipline. His academic journey reflected the values his parents taught him—to work hard, stay grounded, and never forget where you come from. Through education, Jovan built a strong foundation for his professional future while also learning to balance family pride with personal ambition.

Career and Professional Life

After completing his education, Jovan began working as a hydraulic engineer. This career path reflects his love for structure, design, and problem-solving. Hydraulic engineering involves creating systems that control and manage water in ways that help communities and protect the environment. It is a field that demands technical skill and a sense of responsibility, both of which Jovan has shown throughout his career.

While many people expected him to follow in the musical footsteps of his family, he chose a different path—one defined by logic, precision, and service. His work demonstrates that success does not always come from fame or attention but from doing something meaningful and contributing positively to society. This choice also highlights his independence and maturity, showing that he has the confidence to define success on his own terms.

Connection to the Quintanilla Legacy

Although Jovan lives a private life, he remains closely connected to the legacy of the Quintanilla family. His mother, Suzette, plays a major role in keeping Selena’s memory alive through the Selena Museum in Corpus Christi, Texas. Jovan often supports his family in these efforts, attending occasional family gatherings, tributes, and events that honor Selena’s influence.

He has appeared at several special occasions, standing beside his parents with quiet pride. Fans are always happy to see him, as he represents a new generation of the Quintanilla family carrying Selena’s memory forward. Jovan’s respectful and private approach to family legacy reflects his understanding that fame should never overshadow love and respect. He values his family history but also recognizes the importance of living authentically in the present.

Personal Life and Relationship

Jovan has always preferred to keep his personal life out of the public eye, but it is known that he has been in a relationship with Mallory Smith since late 2019. Mallory is a second-grade teacher from Texas who is passionate about education and helping children learn. The two met during their time at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and have been together ever since.

Their relationship is admired because it is built on love, mutual respect, and privacy. They rarely post about each other on social media, choosing instead to focus on their personal connection. Mallory’s kind and down-to-earth nature fits perfectly with Jovan’s calm and modest personality. Together, they have built a quiet and happy life centered on shared values and goals.

Social Media and Public Presence

In today’s world, where social media often reveals every part of a person’s life, Jovan has chosen a different path. He maintains a private Instagram account with over sixteen thousand followers, but only close friends and family can see his posts. This privacy reflects his desire to live a peaceful life without unnecessary attention. Occasionally, his mother, Suzette, shares pictures of him on her own social media, giving fans a small glimpse of his life. These moments often receive warm comments from fans who see how much he resembles Selena and how proud the family remains of their heritage. Jovan handles this attention with maturity and grace, understanding that people’s curiosity comes from love for his family. His decision to stay private is a sign of self-respect and emotional intelligence, proving that not every public figure’s child needs to live a public life.

Appearance and Personality

Jovan stands about five feet ten inches tall and weighs around one hundred fifty-four pounds. He has black hair, dark brown eyes, and a kind smile that many say reminds them of Selena. His appearance often captures attention, but it is his calm and kind personality that truly stands out. Those who know him describe him as respectful, humble, and thoughtful.

Despite being part of a well-known family, he never uses his name to gain attention. Instead, he focuses on his work, his loved ones, and his goals. Jovan’s balanced nature and maturity show that he was raised with strong moral values. His personality reflects the teachings of his parents—to stay grounded, to treat everyone with respect, and to live with gratitude.

Financial Stability and Achievements

Even though Jovan lives privately, it is believed that he has achieved a comfortable lifestyle through his professional career. As of 2025, his estimated net worth is around 1.5 million dollars, most of which comes from his work as a hydraulic engineer. Unlike many children of famous families who depend on inherited wealth, Jovan has earned his success through his education and professional accomplishments.

His financial stability is the result of dedication, patience, and discipline. It also shows the importance of the values his parents instilled in him—to work hard and remain independent. Jovan’s achievements are a quiet reflection of what true success looks like, built not on fame or fortune but on personal growth and meaningful work.

Family Influence and Values

The influence of the Quintanilla family continues to shape Jovan’s life in many ways. His grandfather, Abraham Quintanilla Jr., was a talented musician and the driving force behind Selena y Los Dinos. His uncle, A.B. Quintanilla III, is a well-known songwriter and producer who helped write many of Selena’s hits. His mother, Suzette, has become the guardian of Selena’s legacy, running the Selena Museum and working on projects like the Netflix series “Selena: The Series.” Growing up surrounded by such dedication to music and family, Jovan learned that legacy is not only about fame but also about responsibility, love, and faith. He has inherited his family’s sense of unity and work ethic, even though he expresses it in a different way through his engineering work.

Life in the Present

As of 2025, Jovan continues to live in Texas, where he works as a hydraulic engineer and enjoys a peaceful lifestyle. He values spending time with family, friends, and his girlfriend, Mallory. Although he doesn’t appear in public often, when he does, he is always warm and respectful toward those who recognize him. He continues to support his mother’s efforts in keeping Selena’s memory alive while maintaining his own path. Jovan’s life today reflects balance, independence, and gratitude. He lives quietly but meaningfully, showing that one can have a fulfilling life without constant public attention.

Legacy and Inspiration

Jovan Arriaga represents a new generation of the Quintanilla family—one that honors the past while building its own future. He may not be a musician like his famous relatives, but he carries their values of hard work, humility, and love. For fans of Selena, Jovan serves as a reminder that her spirit still lives on through her family’s continued kindness and strength. His story is proof that legacy can be expressed in many forms, whether through music, education, or service. Jovan’s choice to lead a private, hardworking, and respectful life is inspiring to many who see him as a symbol of quiet dignity.

Conclusion